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Old 09-05-2018, 09:00 PM   #2
JPTolson
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Salem, Ohio
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Welcome to the club! We're happy to help new paddlers get started. Most of the trips for the remainder of this year's schedule are flat water (good for newbies).
By all means, show up for trips, RSVP if requested by the trip leader, and tell the trip leader that you are new to paddling. He/she will make sure that the group keeps an eye on you and will coach you on paddling if you wish.

Cold water will become an issue at some point in the not too distant future. But even during the warmer months, for all except the warmest days, it's good to bring a change of clothes in a dry bag that is secured in your boat just in case. It's also important that you wear croakies or chums if you wear glasses. PFDs should be worn and secured correctly on the water. All gear in your boat should also be secured in the event of a spill. I like to carry my wallet and keys in waterproof containers in my PFD. A very important piece of safety advice is to stay away from low head dams from both upriver and downriver. They are very dangerous.

The trip on the Mahoning from Foster Park to Rotary Park in Newton Falls on September 23 should be a good beginners trip with one caveat. It's likely that there will be several trees blocking the river that will require getting out of your boat and carrying around them on possibly muddy banks. But that's all part of the adventure.

There are many other dimensions to the sport and other tips, guidelines, and safety considerations that many others in the club could offer as well.

See you on the river!

Last edited by JPTolson; 09-05-2018 at 09:25 PM.
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